Cuomo, Christie to Congress: Thanks for the ‘Down Payment’

Govs. Andrew Cuomo of New York and Chris Christie of New Jersey released a statement Friday expressing lukewarm appreciation for Congress’ passage of a $9.7 billion aid package to pay flood insurance claims related to Superstorm Sandy.

Both governors—Cuomo, a Democrat, and Christie, a Republican—blasted the GOP-led U.S. House this week for delaying a vote on a comprehensive $60 billion package.

“Today’s action by the House was a necessary and critical first step towards delivering aid to the people of New York and New Jersey,” the governors said in a statement. “While we are pleased with this progress, today was just a down payment and it is now time to go even further and pass the final and more complete, clean disaster aid bill.

“We are trusting Congress to act accordingly on January 15 and pass the final $51 billion instrumental for long-term rebuilding in order for New Jersey, New York and our people to recover after the severe devastation of Hurricane Sandy.”